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Fun for all the famiglia

Family or la famiglia is very important for Italians. So it's hardly surprising that holidays in Italy are perfect for families. Beaches are safe, food is unfussy and kids are positively welcome!

Sandy Sardinia
Located at the centre of the Mediterranean, Sardinia was conquered and re-conquered over the centuries and the evidence is easy to find. Families with older kids will find there's heaps of exploring to be done on Sardinia holidays: Roman ruins, Genonan fortresses and remnants of the island's ancient Sardinian Nuragic culture can found literally all over the place. Dads and kids alike will also love the Green Train (Trenino Verde). There are several routes to this little old diesel loco, but the one which runs between Arbatax and Mandas is the most spectacular. This tightly winding line climbs high into the mountains and crosses steep gorges offering fantastic views en route. Holidays in Sardinia needn't be all about history though, so once you've had your shot of culture and adventure why not hit the beach? The beaches around the island are some of Italy's most unspoilt, perfect for paddling and swimming and, outside the busy peak summer season, surprisingly quiet. Kids will also love visiting Neptune's Grotto near the town of Alghero. This sea-level cave complex is full of spiky stalactites and stalagmites and floodlights are used to create a truly stunning underground panorama.

Lipsmacking Sicily
The ball at the bottom of the kicking foot of the Italian mainland, Sicily is also dotted with remnants of ancient civilizations. Palermo the island's bustling capital is stuffed with sudden Baroque extravagances and unexpected Moorish flourishes. Its narrow streets and vibrant markets are perfect for exploring with older kids. And whilst you're wandering, you can graze along the way. As with most of Italy, food here is a delight and the fantastic street food is one of the things that make Sicily holidays such fun. Rice balls, potato croquets, fritters and mini-pizzas will keep hungry young sightseers going until dinner time whilst sticky sweets like cannoli - fried pastries stuffed with ricotta and rolled in chocolate – make the perfect sugary reward for following dad round yet another old church. Fresh fish like swordfish, tuna and sardines and a huge variety of cheeses like pecorino, provolone and of course ricotta are other memorable foodie highlights you'll find on most menus. Parents can wash it all down with the distinctly drinkable and great value local wines such as Corvo and Regaeali.

Historic Sorrento
If your kids are studying the Romans at school you're spoilt for choice on holidays in Italy. The fantastically well-preserved remains at Pompeii offer some of the most vivid reminders of the Romans. When Mount Vesuvius erupted the town was buried in volcanic ash, preserving it almost untouched. You can still see loaves of carbonised bread in the baker's ovens! Rather than staying in Naples, which can be a little overwhelming for younger holiday makers, try Sorrento just down the coast. Sorrento holidays offer a nice compromise between pretty resort town relaxation and Roman explorations. The local Circumvesuviana train chugs along the coastline from Sorrento to Pompeii, Herculaneum and onwards to Naples, so it's easy to hop aboard and reach the ruins. Pompeii is huge, so expect to spend a whole day there and make sure you are well stocked up with sunscreen, sunhats and water. Get a guidebook when you arrive and spend time planning your route through the amazingly preserved villas, forum and theatres. Nearby Herculaneum was smothered in volcanic ash too. It's smaller and more manageable, and although less architecturally impressive, it's better preserved. Whilst it's unashamedly a tourist town, Sorrento still feels very Italian with narrow streets, pretty squares and an attractive old harbour. You can also do an easy day trip by ferry to the romantic isle of Capri too.

For our range of Sorrento, Sicily and Sardinia hotels perfect for family holidays see www.citalia.com